RIYADH — Fayik Abdi is a name winter sports fans in Saudi Arabia will never forget as he managed to shift all eyes from the Saudi dunes to the snowy mountains and hills of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics for the first time.

It’s also the first within the Gulf Cooperation Council to see an athlete qualifying for the Alpine ski event in this 24th edition of the Winter Olympic Games.

People were enthusiastic to hear about the first qualification and participation for an athlete from Saudi Arabia in the Winter Games. The interest and demand for winter sports within Saudi society are remarkable, which helped inaugurate The Saudi Winter Sports Federation (SWSF) two years ago.

The President of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC) headed the delegation with SOPC Vice President Prince Fahd Bin Jalawi Al Saud, IOC member Princess Reema Bin Bandar to support and mark this attempt in history.

Abdi entered with high hopes and ended the first round in 51st place with 1:21.44 sec out of 89 competitors worldwide. While the second round ended with 1:25.41 sec and he jumped to 45th place.

From the Arab region, Egypt participated once in 1984, Algeria (1992, 2006, & 2010). Meanwhile, Morocco has led the region with the most participation since (1968, 1984, 1988, 1992, and continued from 2010 to 2022). Lebanon followed with similar high participation (participated from 1948 to 2022 except 1994 & 1998). Algeria (1992, 2006, & 2010).

Today Abdi is back home along with the delegation, leaving behind a legacy that will last forever. Winter sports fans in Saudi are inspired to see more Saudi athletes representing their country in such competitions, bringing more joy and pride to the nation as it diversifies in opening new windows for its young population. — SG